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Military operation in Ukraine

US announces $275 million in additional military aid to Ukraine — Blinken

The new military package is part of Washington’s efforts "to help Ukraine repel Russia’s assault near" Kharkov

WASHINGTON, May 24. /TASS/. The United States has announced a new $275-million drawdown of weapons and equipment for Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a press release.

The press release said that the package contains such capabilities as ammunition for HIMARS, 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems, anti-armor mines, as well as chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear protective equipment.

The new military package is part of Washington’s efforts "to help Ukraine repel Russia’s assault near" Kharkov.

In late April, US President Joe Biden signed a bill passed by Congress to resume arms deliveries to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The package was worth $95 billion. It includes $61 billion for Ukraine.

The statement released by the US Secretary of State said that it was the fifth security assistance package that Biden had authorized "since signing the national security supplemental." According to Blinken, the weapons from previous packages have already been handed over to Kiev. Washington "will move this new assistance as quickly as possible," the press release said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated that sending more weapons to Ukraine will not bring a change in the situation on the front, but will merely drag out the conflict.

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Ukraine United States Military operation in Ukraine

French PM may limit president’s actions in foreign policy — expert

"The prime minister may introduce red lines or restrictions to the president," Sebastien Chenu said

Nuclear doctrine may be amended based on experience of operation in Ukraine — Russian MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed that Russia's President Vladimir Putin order an exercise to practice the skills of using non-strategic nuclear weapons was a signal that drove the message home not only for military professionals and not only for diplomats, but also for the general public in Western countries

Ukraine signs security agreements with Lithuania and Estonia

The contents of these agreements was not disclosed

Russia vows comprehensive defense measures in nuclear conflict — senior diplomat

Russia has never favored the US idea of limited nuclear war, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed

Russia ranked world’s second largest military power — GFP

More than 60 individual criteria were factored into the rankings, including the number of military troops, financial and logistics capabilities, as 145 world powers were considered

Russia looking at lowering level of diplomatic relations with West — senior diplomat

Such decisions in Russia are made at the top level, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said

Russia strikes Ukrainian military airfields by precision weapons — top brass

Russian troops struck massed Ukrainian manpower and military hardware in 117 areas over the past day, the ministry reported

Top UK diplomat signals NATO’s rejection of Ukraine in prank call — spokeswoman

"Both Cameron and this tubby man from the UK Defense Ministry (former UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace - TASS) likely wanted to get some publicity through Vovan and Lexus, and, perhaps, float the idea that Ukraine will never be a part of NATO," the diplomat wrote on her Telegram channel

Rutube again available in App Store

The app was removed from the App Store on June 17

Moscow - St. Petersburg high speed rail to cost $20.6 bln — Finance Ministry

The railroad with the length of 679 km will cover six regions: Moscow and St. Petersburg, Leningrad, Novgorod, Tver, and Moscow Regions

Russia’s wheat export to China up nine-fold in January-May — Agroexport

Australia, France and Canada are among top three largest wheat exporters to China in natural terms

Russian non-oil and gas budget revenues to reach 12.5% of GDP — ACRA

The revision of budget indicators suggested by the Ministry of Finance, specifically the rise in budget expenditures by about $5.7 bln

Bretton Woods system dead and gone — Putin

"There is no other guarantee, so to say, other than confidence in the US economy, in the current global financial system," the Russian leader noted

Politician blames former British PM for Ukrainian battle casualties

The Reform UK leader Nigel Farage did not rule out that Ukraine would have to give up some of its territories in order to put an end to fighting

Ex-British envoy to Russia points to West’s role in provoking conflict in Ukraine

According to Anthony Brenton, "when NATO enlargement first loomed, both former Director of the US Department of State Policy Planning Staff George Kennan and former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger warned of the likely disastrous effects for Russia-West relations"

West plays nuclear roulette by prolonging conflict in Ukraine — experts

According to the scholars, the dynamics of the conflict indicates that the search for its political resolution is more relevant than ever before

US diplomat says Russia ramped up its defense industry after starting special operation

Nicholas Burns stressed that it is "far stronger now than it was even in the beginning" of the conflict

US’ involvement in strikes on Sevastopol makes arms control dialogue impossible — Ministry

Sergey Ryabkov noted that United States is waging a proxy war against Russia, that's why sides can't "sit down at the same table to speak about further reduction or at least any restrictions in the area of strategic offensive weapons."

Uzbekistan to start building small capacity nuclear plant in fall — Uzatom

The NPP construction center identified the priority tasks enabling to start operations on the building site within the determined timeline. Construction of the builders camp and the required infrastructure will start on the site at present

Russian analyst says US helped engineer coup in Bolivia

Among other reasons for the attempted coup, Alexander Stepanov named a deal with Russia to build a $600 million industrial complex in Bolivia to mine and produce lithium carbonate

Evidence of US-financed biological program in Ukraine revealed by Russian defense ministry

According to the spokesman, information was received from employees of Ukrainian biolaboratories that especially hazardous pathogens: plague, anthrax, cholera, tularemia and other lethal diseases infecting agents had been urgently destroyed on February 24

Two bodies found at site of train derailment in Komi — Russian Railways

Russian Railways said that it had opened an investigation to establish all the details of the incident

Russia, US keep communication channels open — senior diplomat

"There are contacts at other levels and along other lines, along the lines of presidential administrations, in particular along the lines of intelligence services, diplomatic agencies are in contact with each other on their own issues," Sergey Ryabkov said

West-imposed order contradicts international law, says Medvedev

"Meanwhile, approval of the will of states is the original act that international law norms emerge from and this cannot be done in any other way," the Russian Security Council deputy chairman said

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian troops trying to entrench near Belogorovka, says LPR

After suffering casualties, the Ukrainian troops "had to retreat to their previous positions," Andrey Marochko said

Russia mulls downgrading diplomatic relations with West, no decision made yet — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov explained that "at a time when the Western countries openly declare that their main aim is to achieve Russia's strategic defeat on the battlefield, of course, this cannot but cause a response from Moscow"

Car traffic through Crimean Bridge restored

This was reported in the official Telegram channel about the situation on the bridge

More than fifteen policemen killed in terrorist act in Dagestan

Several civilians were also killed as a result of the terrorist act, including Father Nikolay, who served for more than forty years in the Orthodox church in Derbent, Sergey Melikov added

Blended finance only way for private capital’s participation in infrastructure

"We need a mechanism, through which the resources accumulated in the private sector can be moved to sectors of the economy and projects in demand at present," VEB.RF Senior Banker Sergey Storchak said

Lavrov horrified by Israel's statement there are no civilians in Gaza

Moscow hopes that Israel will hear the voice of the world's overwhelming majority on the situation in Gaza, the top Russian diplomat said

Rubber goods storage on fire in Yaroslavl Region — Emergencies Ministry

The roof has collapsed in part, and forty firemen and twelve vehicles are extinguishing the fire

West not taking growing nuclear threat seriously enough, senior diplomat says

Meanwhile, Sergey Ryabkov noted, "the situation is tenuous, alarming, and, let’s face it, dangerous"

Putin hands Order of Honor to Congolese president

Talks between the two leaders are taking place at the Kremlin

Probability of Russian assets confiscation by US may rise in fall 2024 — Finance Ministry

The European Union, Canada, the United States, and Japan froze Russia's assets in the amount of about $300 bln after the start of its special military operation

Electronic warfare systems jam 32 Ukrainian drones in Kursk Region

According to Governor Alexey Smirnov, the roofs of a house and an administrative building were damaged in the village of Tyotkino after an attack by Ukrainian drones

Putin hopes construction of warships will be cheaper

Russian President said it at a meeting on shipbuilding

West trying to make another anti-Russia out of Finland — Security Council

Washington, 'under NATO’s umbrella,' has turned Finland into a dependent semi-vassal,"Rashid Nurgaliyev pointed out

Arresting foreign officials may trigger declaration of war — Medvedev

Dmitry Medvedev made this statement at a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum

NATO’s planned drills near Russian borders increase risk of military incidents — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that the Russian side "has no plans to attack NATO countries"

Putin's visits to Asia accelerate Russia's strategic turn eastward — Chinese envoy

Chang Xuhong also noted that certain powers, in pursuance of their geopolitical interests, "stir up ideological differences and actively forge exclusive groupings in the Asia-Pacific region, trying to replace cooperation with confrontation"

Zarubezhneft receives license to develop block 11.2 of Vietnamese continental shelf

The company is currently engaged in production activities in offshore Vietnam both as part of the Vietsovpetro joint venture, its main production asset, and independently

MQ-9 Reaper drone buzzes dangerously close to Russian warplane in Syrian skies — military

The Russian pilot demonstrated high professionalism and took timely measures to prevent a collision

West plotting intrigues before SPIEF, Russia develops ties with Global South — diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, Russia is the driving force behind the formation of this new world order

EU needs additional military investments over next decade — EC head

Ursula von der Leyen "confirmed earlier reports by Euractiv that the EU’s executive estimated the European defense industry requires around €500 billion worth of investment over the next decade"

Diplomat: Militant training underway at US base in Syria's Al-Tanf

Al-Tanf is a strategically important area adjacent to the borders of Syria, Iraq and Jordan

China brings back panda diplomacy with US, to send two giant pandas to San Diego Zoo

Zoo officials will restrict visitor access to the animals for several weeks after their arrival

Vovan and Lexus say prank call to Joe Biden possible

The prankers noted that they do not utilize AI algorithms in their pranks yet, but they do not rule out that they might use them in the future

Zelensky admits Ukraine unwilling to prolong conflict due to high casualties

Previously, Ukraine announced that it will prepare a settlement plan after the first conference in Switzerland, which will be presented to Russia at the second similar meeting

Houthis, Islamic Resistance in Iraq attack commercial vessels in Israel’s Haifa

The movement reported that its drones attacked Haifa-bound cattleship

Ukraine-EU agreement doesn’t contain practical guarantees of security

With respect to the current conflict, the EU reaffirmed the commitments that are already in place and pledged to continue honoring them

Direct Russia-US clash to entail massive use of nuclear weapons — expert

Yevgeny Buzhinsky pointed out that despite all the modeling that had been carried out over decades, it is impossible to accurately predict what effect a massive use of nuclear weapons would have on the globe

Finance Ministry expects multiple growth of Islamic financing in Russia every year

Ivan Chebeskov also noted that interest in this market segment was even higher than expected

Is Gaddafi's gloom prophecy in regard to Europe bound to be fulfilled?

As Europe’s migrant crisis grows far and wide, many Russian media are recalling the late Libyan leader Muamar Gaddafi’s gloom prophecy made several months before his violent death

Putin highlights good relations between Russia, Republic of Congo

"I am talking about the political level, where relations have been growing noticeably, as well as trade and economic ties," the Russian leader noted

BMP-3 combat vehicles start receiving drone suppression systems

The press service of High Precision Weapons company told TASS about it

No way right to veto will disappear, says UN secretary-general

"Whenever there is a veto, there is an explanation given to the General Assembly," Antonio Guterres said

US permits oil supplies from Sakhalin-2 to Japan until June 28, 2025

The general license does not authorize any transactions otherwise prohibited by restrictions against Russia imposed earlier

BRICS to suspend admitting new members for a while — Lavrov

"By the overwhelming majority, the ten nations decided to ‘take a pause’ with new members to ‘take in’ the new members who have doubled the association," he said at a meeting with speaker of Belarus

EDB expects financial results for 2024 not to be worse than last year

Chairman of the EDB Management Board Nikolay Podguzov stressed that the volume of investments, the quality of the portfolio, the level of provisions and the share of overdue loans are important for the development bank

Russian proposals about Ukraine time-sensitive — Medvedev

The politician said this proposal is based on two positions

Fight against terrorism must be unrelenting, says Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov clarified that Head of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov "was talking about those who condone terrorism and are involved in terrorist activities in some capacity"

Russian stock market indices mixed on Thursday — market data

Higher volatility of the currency market remains the main problem, Alexander Bakhtin from BCS Investment World says

US replies with old cliches to charges of involvement in Sevastopol terror attack — MFA

Sergey Ryabkov pointed out that similar rhetoric "has been heard from all platforms in the West for a long time, but in essence it does not change anything about what is happening," while "the puppets in Kiev feel their own impunity and continue to be condoned by the United States and other NATO countries"

Over 30 buildings, 20 cars damaged in Ukraine’s June 23 missile attack on Crimea

Alexey Krasnokutsky added that damage is still being assessed

Third of Ukrainian troops surrender near Lisichansk, LPR’s envoy to Russia says

According to Rodion Miroshnik, the operation to liberate the LPR would be brought to an end as soon as the operation in Lisichansk was finished

Strategic partnership, rejection of sanctions: results of talks between Putin, Kim Jong Un

The treaty will take interaction between the two countries "to a new level" rather than resting on laurels that already exist

Russian diplomat warns Ukraine could suffer huge losses if it attempts another offensive

Maria Zakharova said the Ukrainian government has little concern that, if they go ahead with the plan, losses could be "even more terrible than the catastrophic losses that the Ukrainian armed forces suffered during the previous such reckless move in the summer of 2023"

Finland planned genocide of Soviet people in 1940-1941 — Russian Security council

Rashid Nurgaliyev pointed out that, on July 8, 1941, one day before the beginning of the Finnish offensive north of Lake Ladoga, Carl Gustaf Mannerheim issued the order number 132, its fourth clause reading: "capture the Russian population and send it to concentration camps"

Assets to be withdrawn from US jurisdiction — Russian Security Council

"The most efficient mechanism will be the withdrawal of all the sovereign assets out of the US jurisdiction and structuring of deals without using the dollar," Dmitry Medvedev noted

Russia to launch app for compatriots living abroad

According to the agency for international humanitarian cooperation, it is very imprtant, "because compatriots want to receive prompt and comprehensive information about what is happening here"

Russian forces destroy 12 Ukrainian drone control centers — defense ministry

Apart from that, seven fixed-wing reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed by air defense systems and electronic warfare tools, spokesman for the Battlegroup West Ivan Birma said

Russia’s Navy to receive over 40 new ships in 2024 — Putin

In 2023 the number was 33

Kremlin spokesman unaware of report North Korea could send engineers to Donbass

The report was earlier released by the Institute for the Study of War, an American research group that monitors the Ukrainian conflict

Russia ready for honest dialogue with the West — deputy foreign minister

"Russia has repeatedly stressed that it does not cut itself off from anyone, and has repeatedly expressed its readiness to cooperate," Sergey Ryabkov stressed

Russian, Egyptian warships to holds drills, practice maneuvering

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the ships that called at Alexandria are the Guards Missile Cruiser Varyag and frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov

Discussions on South Caucasus need to be moved out of Switzerland — Russian delegation

"This is related to the fact that the Geneva venue is no longer comfortable for Russia and its allies," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin added

EU, Ukraine sign agreement on security guarantees for Kiev

The signing took place on the sidelines of a two-day EU summit, whose agenda includes discussions of the conflict in Ukraine and related issues, among other things

CSTO delegations discuss future command-and-staff exercise in Kazakhstan

The participants discussed the general idea of the exercise, the schedule of drills, the make-up of the exercise’s joint command, and other organizational issues

EU countries will not seize Russian assets in the near future — expert

"Legal registration of any mechanisms associated with seizure or deprivation of property rights would be a serious blow to their reputation," Ekaterina Arapova said

West getting closer to point of no return by taking anti-Russian measures — diplomat

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov noted that foreign policy all-permissiveness and overindulgence in the feeling of impunity in the long run will lead to an escalation

US intention to inflict 'strategic defeat' on Russia 'doomed to failure' — Lavrov

"There is an impression that the US ruling elites have not learned any lessons from their recent numerous foreign policy and military failures," the foreign minister noted

Press review: US, Russian defense chiefs touch base and new sheriff in town at NATO

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, June 27th

Production at former Volkswagen car plant in Kaluga will restart on August 1

In May 2023, German automaker Volkswagen completed the sale of its Russian assets to the local investor Art-Finance LLC for 125 million euros

Congolese president thanks Russia for its role in Africa’s decolonization struggle

The two presidents are holding talks in the Kremlin

Russia taking measures in response to US involvement in strikes on Sevastopol — diplomat

Commenting on the likelihood of the Russian side using tactical nuclear weapons in response to the shelling of Sevastopol, Sergey Ryabkov pointed out that "the Russian president, as the supreme commander-in-chief, makes such fateful decisions"

Russian embassies overflowing with requests to relocate to country — MFA

Maria Zakharova also drew attention to the fact that the Russian Foreign Policy Concept touches upon the topic of traditional values 11 times

ICC’s claim of intent to cooperate with Russia absurd, Kremlin spokesman tells TASS

Russia-Bulgaria relations 'non-existent', says Moscow’s envoy

Eleonora Mitrofanova believes that the early parliamentary election Bulgaria held on June 9 has not changed the country’s political landscape much

Agreement between Gazprom, NIGC to turn Iran into gas hub — Iran’s acting president

Cooperation between the two countries will lead to signing of larger agreements and contracts, Mohammad Mokhber said

US weaponizing Taiwan just like it did with Ukraine — Russian diplomat

Ivan Zhelokhovtsev also pointed out that Russia and China "are well aware of the risks of the Asia-Pacific region’s NATOfication"

What is known about failed coup attempt in Bolivia

On June 26, a group of Bolivian military officers led by General Juan Jose Zuniga, who was dismissed as army commander on June 25, occupied the square in front of the government building in La Paz

Yemeni Houthis report joint attack with Iraq’s Islamic Resistance on Haifa

The US and its allies launched Operation Prosperity Guardian aiming to ensure both the freedom of navigation and the safety of maritime traffic in the Red Sea

Russia to handle sanctions, deal with attempts to harm it — Medvedev

According to the politician, with the exception of sanctions against the Artek international children’s center, "it is boring even to list" the new sanctions

Lavrov says West will allow killing Russians in Ukraine if conflict becomes frozen

According to the top Russian diplomat, American experts proposed to end hostilities and suggested "looking at the Korean scenario"

Disrespect for immunity of countries could be step toward war — Medvedev

"Russia, like most countries of the world, including, incidentally, the United States of America and the largest countries - China, India - is not a party to this theatrical institution called the ICC," the official stressed

Search for ATACMS fragments in Sevastopol after Ukrainian attack to take at least 2 days

Alexey Krasnokutsky pointed out that the sub-munitions scattering area of ATACMS missiles was rather large, but a significant part of the territory has been inspected already

French PM may limit president’s actions in foreign policy — expert

"The prime minister may introduce red lines or restrictions to the president," Sebastien Chenu said

Demand for summer tours to Vietnam among Russian tourists rises several-fold

Tour operator ITM Group is also seeing a higher number of bookings to Vietnam - sales are now three times higher than for the whole of 2023

MTS shareholders approve $770.78 mln of dividends for 2023

The company's revenue under the International Financial Reporting Standards for 2023 increased by 13.5% to $6,9 bln

Chinese defense official warns of hellish consequences for US’ Taiwan drone plans

"Those who are clamoring about turning other people's homes into hell should first prepare to be sent to a hell of their own," Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesman Wu Qian said

Russia and Tanzania sign military cooperation agreement

The Russian defense minister said that bilateral agreements are expected to contribute to further development of ties between Russia and Tanzania